Flying with Kids, Stroller, Carseats & a Rental Car

Have you considered renting a stroller once you are there? We just got back from Florida and found a company that we rented a stroller from and they delivered and picked up.

I used to have an older model Taurus and my dad has a current model. Trunk space for two suitcases and a stroller will not be a problem. There is a ton of trunk space. I've fit three large suitcases and two smaller ones with some extra room for pillows and coats to be shoved in the smaller spaces.

Mama:

It's been sooo long since I've had strollers!!

I know the Chrysler 300c I had while my Odyssey was in the shop had a TON of space in trunk!! I've not seen a Taurus or an Altima....can you go to your local rental car place and tell them you want to make sure you have the space and look at the cars so you won't have problems once you get there?

I know Hertz would do that...They'd much rather have a happy customer than upset and crying kids!!

HAVE FUN!!!

How many car seats do you have? (I only ask because you mention a sit n stand stroller). I would be concerned with the space inside the car.

I am going to say no on the stroller.....maybe bring a bungee cord to secure it down. We have literally "ditched" strollers in Florida because of this same problem. The only time we had room for that much stuff (take into account that your carry ons will take up room too) we rented the minivan. My reccomendation: bring two umbrella strollers instead (the kind that fold up super tiny).

The other recommendation...get a cars eat bag and put them all in one bag together (this can be tricky but done)...carrying the car seats becomes clumsy...with the bag you can just check them for free with your checked luggage. Don't bother carrying them all the way to the plane.

I have learned (traveling 6 times with small children) the more stuff you can check the better off you will be ....you will have a much less stressful time in the airport and getting on and off the plane.

In the UK, a "van" or "large car" is not very large at all. We fit 3 adults, one teen and one small child in a car that's probably not much bigger than either car you are talking about for the entire 2 weeks. You can make it work.

It sounds like you should have enough space, but if you're inclined to get a bigger car, you might want to try Priceline with a low bid for an SUV or mini-van. It might be hard if you're going for spring break, but it's always worth a try.

A quick google search and I found that Nissan Altima has "15.3 cubic feet of trunk space, but big fenderwells and old-fashioned goose-neck hinges intrude on space."
http://cars.about.com/od/nissan/ig/2010-Nissan-Altima-pho...

Ford Taurus has 20, so the trunk is very roomy:

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/09/2013-ford-taur...

Can you upgrade on the spot in case you do not fit?

You'll never have room for it all safely. You will need a small SUV at least or the suitcases will have to be piled on top of the children.

A ford Taurus has a fairly large trunk and you should be able to get three car seats across the back. I believe the. Nissan is a bit smaller. I still think you could get 2 suitcases and the stroller in the trunk your carry ons you an always put under your feet in the car. I'm assuming its a short drive to your rental house.

We had a Nissan Maxima and it had plenty of room for 2 suitcases and our stroller. If you look on the car company's site (Nissan and Ford), you should be able to find the trunk dimensions. I see no reason you need an SUV. The carseats are not an issue since I assume the kids will be sitting in them.

You shouldn't have a problem fitting two large suitcases and a stroller in the trunk.

A few years ago we rented a Nissan Altima. It had plenty of room in the trunk for 2 large suitcases, 2 medium-sized suitcases and a duffle bag.